Poor defense and an inability to close out close games continued to haunt the Washington Wizards as they fell to a 9-13 record and remained mired in a four-game losing slump. Washington continues to wait for the return of second-year guard Bradley Beal, who averaged a team-high 20 points per game before injuring his leg […]
Author Archives: Stephen D. Riley
Special to the AFRO
Wall Willing Washington Forward as Injuries Mount
The Washington Wizards didn’t just end the week on a high note—they ended the month with their most wins in nearly 30 years. November Retrospect The Wizards completed November with eight wins, their most since 1984. Perhaps even more impressive than the wins was the fact that Washington operated without rising star shooting guard Bradley […]
Wiz Start to Warm Up, Net Three Wins in Long Week
They’re still under .500 and they’re still nowhere near expectations; but the Washington Wizards just put in a good solid week of NBA basketball. This is what Washington does: they get you excited, and then they let you down. But for now, the Wizards appear to be a team on track for a post-season appearance. […]
Lost Leads Have Washington Wizards at Loss for Words
The games aren’t getting any easier to stomach and the results continue to make Washington Wizards fans queasy as the team ended the week at 2-7, putting them in last place in the NBA’s Southeast Division and tied for next-to-last in the league behind only the Utah Jazz. Injuries, a lack of offense and poor […]
Wizards Fight Back
Nov. 3—Miami Heat Defeats Wizards, 103-93 The signs of improvement are there. Aside from a championship-schooling from the National Basketball Association’s defending champs, the Washington Wizards weren’t too bad in the first full week of November. An early week 103-93 loss in Miami on Nov. 3 could’ve been a lot worse. After being outscored by […]
More of the Same as Washington Opens Season with Pair of Losses
The start of the 2013-14 season was a sour week for the Washington Wizards, as poor play and bad defense reminded Wizards fans how quickly promise and potential can turn into disaster. Oct. 30—Detroit Pistons Defeat Washington 113-102 Washington opened the season on the road against the Detroit Pistons on Oct. 30 but the talent […]
Wall’s Tattoos Should Encourage Contract Extension
Welcome to the 21st century NBA, where franchise players have tattoos, earrings and their personal problems are exposed via Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. Welcome to the 21st century NBA, where franchise players have arisen to stardom via ghettos, bad neighborhoods and below the poverty line. Welcome to the 21st century NBA, where fans don’t care […]
With the No. 3 Pick, the Washington Wizards Should Select DeMarcus Cousins
Nobody made out better in the May 21 NBA Draft Lottery than the Washington Wizards. No, they didn’t land the top selection but nabbing the No. 3 pick when they were projected to pull in the eighth selection or worse is an obvious home run for the former Bullets. Now the head scratching really begins. […]
Wizards Conclude Season with Two More Losses
The Washington Wizards saw the end to another disastrous season, closing their 2012-2013 campaign with a six-game losing streak to finish with a record of 29-52. Missing several key players at different points of the year, the lack of depth and superstar options other than John Wall was glaringly evident throughout the season. Washington finished […]
Wizards Drop Four Straight in Long Week
A shorthanded roster was the main culprit in a rough week for the Washington Wizards. Swingmen regulars Martell Webster and Trevor Ariza missed time this week, adding further depletion to a wing rotation already missing rookie guard Bradley Beal. Star guard John Wall tried to shoulder the scoring load but the burden was a bit […]
Wall Continues Stellar Play, Wizards Continue Winning Ways
Washington Wizards point guard John Wall has been flat-out unstoppable over the past few weeks, using his speed, athleticism and a newfound jump shot to post averages in March of 22 points, eight assists and nearly two steals per game. So far in April, Wall has kept up that level of play and the Wizards […]
Wizards Dig Deep but Come Up Short in Western Swing
Down to nearly 65 percent of the roster, the Washington Wizards still had to go out and compete against some of the best teams in the West this past week. And while they were able to protect home court with a limited rotation, their shortage really showed up once they hit the road. Despite the […]

